Causes and Strategies for Reducing Road Traffic Accidents in the Bongo District of Ghana
Andrews Baba Agebure *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Bolgatanga Technical University, P.O. Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.
Sherry Kwabla Amedorme
Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Faculty of Technical Education, Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, P.O. Box 1277, Kumasi, Ghana.
Amoanab Norbert Johnson
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Bolgatanga Technical University, P.O. Box 767, Bolgatanga, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study intends to assess drivers’ state of knowledge on the main causes and the best strategies capable of reducing road traffic accidents in the Bongo District of Ghana.
Study Design: The study was a descriptive design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region of Ghana between July 2023 and August 2023.
Methodology: The researcher conducted a survey involving 100 drivers who were randomly selected from a driver population of 120 in the Bongo District. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel [Version 19]. The results of the data analysis were presented as tables and charts.
Results: The study found that the main causes of road traffic accidents emanate from human error such as low driving skills, excessive speeding, and poor vision of driver. Also, road conditions like bad road networks, no lane markings, and no speed limit signs were found as causal factors of road traffic accidents. Faulty vehicles with causative factors such as defective tyres, brakes, and lights were noted to be also responsible for road accidents. Nevertheless, the least factor was environmental conditions such as bad weather conditions and stray animals being enumerable as environmental conditions which cause road accidents. The study further found that the best strategies for curbing road traffic accidents were enforcement of traffic laws, education and training of drivers, obeying traffic rules by drivers, and maintaining vehicles well.
Conclusion: The study, therefore, concluded that human factors play a central role in contributing to road accidents and curbing road traffic accidents. The research findings can be used to guide stakeholders in formulating and prioritizing interventions that are more human-centred for the curbing of road traffic accidents in the Bongo District of Ghana.
Keywords: Cause of road traffic accidents, demographic characteristics of drivers, road traffic accidents, strategies for reducing road traffic accidents, cost of road accidents